Q&A

Answer: A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the earth as it is orbiting the earth. The eclipse occurring on August 21, 2017 will be a total eclipse.

Q. What is a total solar eclipse?

Answer: In a total eclipse, the moon lines up perfectly to obscure the Sun’s light. The moon has a very specific orbit which only allows for five possible eclipses a year and only two of these five have the potential to be total eclipses. A total eclipse can only be seen for a few minutes and along a very narrow path of the earth’s surface. Total solar eclipses are very rare events and another total solar eclipse is not supposed to occur until 2024.

Q. When will total solar eclipse occur on August 21st?

Answer: The total solar eclipse will begin at 1:09 pm EST, reach totality at 2:39 pm EST, and end at 4:02 EST pm. Around 2:30 pm EST, the total solar eclipse will turn day into night for up to almost 3 minutes.

Q. Where is the total solar eclipse located?

Answer: For the first time in nearly 100 years, America will have the chance to view the total solar eclipse from coast to coast. Starting in Oregon and ending in South Carolina, the total solar eclipse will follow a 67-mile-wide path of totality across the country.

Q. Is it safe to view the total solar eclipse?

Answer: The only way to safely view the eclipse is through appropriate protection. Your eyes could be severely damaged if you look at the eclipse or sun without protection.

Q. How can I adequately protect my eyes while viewing the solar eclipse?

Answer: When viewing the total solar eclipse, you want to use special-purpose solar filters such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sun glasses (or dark ones) are not safe to use when viewing the sun.

Q. Can I record the solar eclipse with my phone?

Answer: It is recommended not to point your phone’s camera directly at the eclipse. Phone camera sensors are unfiltered, and can be damaged by direct exposure to UV rays. The only safe point is during eclipse “totality” when the moon completely covers the sun.

Q. Where can I find solar eclipse viewing materials?

Answer: Places such as Amazon and Walmart both advertise the sale of certified eclipse sunglasses.

Q. When can I remove my filter to look at the eclipse?

Answer: You can remove your solar filter only when the moon completely covers the sun during totality of the eclipse. After experiencing totality, cover your eyes with your solar filter to view the remaining partial phases.

Q. Is there anything else I need to know?

Answer: Always make sure your solar filter or viewer is not damaged or scratched. If your materials are damaged, make sure to discard them. Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered optical device such as a camera, telescope, binoculars, or solar viewer. The concentrated solar rays will enter your eye and cause serious permanent or temporary injury.

**Disclaimer** The Jervey Eye Group, PA is not responsible or liable for any damage or injury that may occur from the misuse of solar filters or viewing materials. This announcement does not constitute medical advice.